The tradition of football fans cheering and singing in stadiums has been around for ages, and Manchester City’s anthem Blue Moon is no exception. Fans of all ages can be heard belting out the tune during their games, making it synonymous with the club. While most songs are upbeat and meant to inspire players, Blue Moon is quite different in nature, being melancholy instead.
Interestingly, the song has nothing to do with the team’s iconic blue uniforms, as legend has it that it was first sung by fans leaving a stadium after a poor performance by the team. This is ironic, considering that Man City went on to win the Premiership title seven times between 2011 and 2022. Nevertheless, the singing tune remains a Man City tradition, regardless of how well they are playing.
Blue Moon was composed by Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart, and it wasn’t uncommon at that time for club fans to adopt a pop song into the football grounds. It is believed that the song was first sung by City fans during their game against Liverpool at Anfield during the 1989/90 season. The song has had many versions by different artists since it was released in the 1930s, including Rod Stewart, Billie Holiday, Bob Dylan, The Supremes, and Frank Sinatra.
Here are the lyrics to the Man City anthem:
Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon
You knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I could really care for
Then suddenly they’ll appear before me
The only one my arms could ever hold
I heard someone whisper “Please adore me”
And when I looked my moon had turned to gold.
Blue Moon
Now I’m no longer alone
I have a dream in my heart
I have a love of my own.